Dry-pipe valve



v.March 9 1926. 1,575,607

C. ADAMS. JR

DRY PIPE VALVE Eile August 13. 1921 @Sheets-Sheet 2 /e ze 7 59 55 I7 9 37 4+ 58 'zesses z nvenior; Offw. a/'Zes dams, J1;

Mach 9 1926.

C. ADAMS, v JR DRY PIPE VALVE s sheets-sheet s Filed August 15, 1921 inve for:

Far-- 'nesses; 02% If Patented Mar. 9, 1926.

Las all:

CHARLES ADAMS, 5B1., OF CLlFFS-LE PARK, NEW' ASSIGNOR OF GNE-HALF TO SYDNEY EVESTGN, GF NEVI YGREST., N. lY.

DRY-PXES VALVE.

Applicationv filed .august 13, 1921. Serial No. 492,058.

To ZZ 107mm t may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES ADAMS, J r., a citizen of the United States, residing in Clitfside Park, in the county of Bergen and of new and useful Improvements in Dry-Pipe Valves, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to dry pipe valves for use inl dry pipesystems, and a principal feature is the novel valve action control comprising a single collapsible and extensible diaphragm, the valve control holding the valve closed and locked ready for instant use, and being capable of quick and easy manual closure after opening. y

Another feature is the means for retaining-the valve mechanism, which when the valve is operated for opening, maintains the valve in partially open position for facilitating the full opening of the valve by water pressure. Y l

Another -feature is the means which automatically provides for drainage. y

Another feature of the device conducing to ease and cheapness of manufacture, is the simplicity of construction involving no complex parts and requiring relatively small amount of material.

One new and very important feature is l thatthe present construction admits of substantially immediate substitution of one valve mechanism for another valvev mechanism without removing the valve casing from the system, whereby should any valve unit or assembly get out of order it may readily be replaced by the mere act of loos enng lthe damaged valve means and the replacementor substitution thereof by a new and operative valve means.

lt is tintlier proposed that a system may be installed wherein part of the same may be a dry pipe system and part a wet pipe system, or the entire system may be changed from a dry pipe system to a wet pipe system, as is the common practice during the summer months, or for use in warm climates. The reason for this use of a wet pipe syst-em is owing to the fact that in warm weather or in a warm climate there is no tendency for the pipes to freeze and the water is brought in readiness closer to the mate of N ew Jersey, have invented certainfire during the period-when the freezing of the pipes is not a possibility, my invention permitting of use 1n this manner or use as a dry pipe and wet pipe system if cle-- an alarm may be given to any desired pointk upon the operation of the valve under normal active condition. rihat is to say, means are shown, reference being` had to FigsfQ, et, 5 and 7, whereby under fire hazard, the drain system of my device may be so utilized as to permit of a flow of fiuid through a hydrostatic valve actionv whereby an alarm may be delivered to a distant or desired point for notification purposes. Thus, it will be seenthat this particular form of valve while primarily arranged for dry pipe use is also adaptabley to wet pipe systems, and also dry and wet pipe `systems with or without alarm accessories.'

rilfhese and other features and capabilities of my invention will be disclosed in the course of the following description.

Referring to the accompanying drawings which form part of this specification and which show one embodiment of my inveiition, Figure l, is a side or horizontal view, the housing or case being in vertical section.

Figure 2, is a vertical sectional view of the valve mechanism.

Figure 3, is a plan view partly in horiin open position and permitting commu-V nication between the air pressure and water pressure chambers.

Figure 7, is a detail view, on an enlarged scale and partly in sec tion,`for illustrating.r ik@ alarm etur@ 0f my 'dsva Similar reference characters denote similar parts throughout the several views.

My device comprises generally' the housing or case. and the valve mechanism enclosed thereby.

The housingV or case comprises the lower attachment flange 10, the vertical pipe lenogth or vertical extension 11, and the lateral extension 12, the housing being open at its bottom and open at the upper' line ot the extension 12, and the combined interior portions o' the flange 10. the pipe length 1,1 and extension 12 forming the lower portion ot' the water pressure chamber 1 3 of the device.

The lateral extension 1.2 is extended upwardly and outwardly, preferably as shown in Fig'. 1, to provide the interior space 14, suitable tor containing the valve mechanism in open or closed position, the space 'la 'forming' the air pressure chamber of the device. The housing is open at its upper end and is there provided with the upper attachment llange 15.

rlhe valve mechanism comprises the base me iber or portion 16, the valve member .17, the supporting' ring` 18, the collapsible and extensible member such as a bellows-like member 19 having` the lock member 20, and the locking' arms 21 and 22, having' respectively the shoulders 21 and 22.

The base member 16 is substantially circular having; a bore or interior space 23 therethrough, which. when the base member is in assemliled position in the device, coinmunicates with and forms the upper portion ot' the wat-er pressure chamber 13. The base member 1G is secured to the lateral extension 12 of the housing' in a water tight manner7 as by the threaded bolts 24 passing through apertures 25 in the base member and eng-fag'- ing threaded apertures 26 in the extension 12.

The upper straight eda'e or lace of the base member 16 provides the annular valve seat 2T tor the valve face member 1T.

The base member 16 has termed therein adjacent to the valve seat 2T, the annular channel 2S, and has termed the-rein adjacent to the channel 2S the irregular faced annular groove 2() Yfor securing' therein by compression, or in other suitable water tight manner,

`a dingl riorT 30, of lead or other suitable sott metal, the purpose ot the channel 2S and ring' 30 being later stated.

The bas member 16 is provided on two opposite s des with the outwardly extendina' apertured lugs 31, 82 83 and Se, Fia. 3.

The valve member 1T is circular, and has its upper interior cut away to provide the shallow snice or chamber surrounded b v the low annular vertical wall 36, which wall is threaded on its exterior.

The valve member 17, at its outer edge adjoining and below the wall 36 is extended at an incline outwardly and dowmvardly and downwardly and inwardly to form the annular ledge 3T, the under side or face ot which provides the valve tace 3S lor engaging the valve seat 2T. rhe ledge 37 has extending therethrough the inwardly and npwardly inclined annular passageway 39 which provides communication from the downwardly and inwardly inclined tace ol the ledge 3i' to the shallow interior space or chamber 35 ot the valve member.

r[he supporting` ring' 18 has its upper surlace depressed or dished towards its central opening, and is provided in its edge at the central opening` with the annular rabbet or groove L10, which is threaded on its vertical tace iorthereby securing the supporting ring 18 to the threaded wall 36 olf the valve member. rlhe supporting ring' 18 has on its periphery at one side thereolE the apertured lugs 11,7and has its periphery, tor a portion thereof opposite to said lugs, termed to provide the outwardly extending' lip l2.

Viren the valve member 1T and the supporting ringl 18 are in assembled relation. the ring' 13 of rubber or other yieldable air and water tight material is compressed or squeezed between the extending' lower surface oit the supporting* ring' and the upper inclined surface ot the ledge 37. the rin;r

providing' a flexible member which is engageable with the upper Mtace ot the lead or sott metal ring; S0. There is space 4st formed by the channel 28 and located bctween the inner vertical tace of the sott metal ring` 30 and the lower inclined tace ot the ledge 8T, which space communcates with the passageway 39 ot the valve member 11T, and communicates with the atmosphere by the passageway elf, shown in Figs. f3 and 5)., the engagement ot the yieldable ring' ll am the upper taceo the metal ring; 30 providing means tor preventing escape ot' air 'from the air pressure chamber into the spare 41.

rlie extensible member 19 is of convoluted or accordion form, and is secured at its lower edge to the edge ot the central open portion oit the supliiortingj ring' 15%. 'lhe extensible member 19 has a cover or top-piece 1-G having the upwardly extending lock member 2U thereon. which memberv 2O is cut away interiorly to provide a slot having a head -Lli' with which the lockingl arms 21 and 22 engage when .inserted in said slot. The bottom or lioor ot the chamber provides the bottom for the interior space coinprised within the extensible member if).

The loclrins' arms 21 and 2.2 are preterabljv ot the shape shown in the drawing u, that is. they are cur-:ing concave-convex wing-shaped, beingv thickest and widest at their outer or lower ends and reduced in thickness and width. towards their inner 'i Cil vided with a projecting pin 6l.

or upper ends ft-S and #t9 for engagement et' theseends with the slot et' the locking member 2O under the head Il?, and are provided at their lower or outer ends with the pairs oli' apertured lugs 50 and 51.

The locking arm 2l the extensible member 19, the supporting ring 18, and the valve member l? are assembled in operative rela- Ation by passing` the pivot pin or shat't through the lugs 3l. ot the base member 16, through the lugs ot the locking arm 2l, through the lugs ell ot' the supporting ring 1S, and through the lug 32 oit the base member, the pivot pin being tixedly attached to the lugs Sl and by the set screws and 5,4, theI lugs 50 and'el being loose upon the pivot pin. rl`he extensible member 19 and siippcrlingl ring i6 overlie the alve member '17, and the locking arm 2l overlies them all, and all these men'ibers are pivotally movable on the pivot pin .52.

For supporting the locking 'arm 22 in position for cooperating with the locking arm 2l the pivot pin 55 is passed througl'i the lug oit the base member 16, through the lugs 51 ot the locking arm 22, and through the lug 3st ot the hase member, the pivot pin rbeing provided adjacent tothe lugs 3S and Si with the stop collars 56 and 56 lixefflly attached tothe pivot pin 55 by the set screws 5T and 57', the last mentioned lugs beingl loose upon the pivot pin 55.

For providing means lor coope ating with the locking 2l and 22 'for lock ing the valve mechanism in closed position, and 1to1' nmintaining the valve mechanism in partial open 'position tor facilitating movement ot the valve'mechanism to tull open position by water pressure, the dog' is loosely attached to the pivot pm 55. The dog 58 has at its upper end a nose 59, and is extended at its lower end 60 and pro- The curved lever member 62, which. (3o-operates with the dog 5S, has a hooked lower end 63, and is secured at its lower end, as oy the lug 6st', to the base member 16 adjacent tothe lower end ot the dog` the hooked end 63 being engageable' with the pin 61. to move the nose all et the dog; downwardly and inwardly when thelever member 62 is moved radially and outwardly. rlhe Curved upper end 6l ol the lever member vis located and movable in' a cnt a Yay or removed portion 65 ot the locking arm 22the lever member being limited in outward radial moven'ient by engagement ot Vits curved end 6st with the outer wall ot the cut away or removed portion 65 ot the locking arm 22. Upward and outward movement et the dog 58 is .limited by. engagement ot the outer side ot' the nose 59 with the adjacent curved upper end 6l ot the lever member. llVhen the nose 59 is iu engagement, as shown in `Fig. 2, with the lip 4.2 of thesupporting ringl 1S,

and held in this position by the shoulder oitn the locking arm upon lessening ot air pressure and extension ot' the extensible member i9, the locking arm will be released, and due to water pressure on the valve member 17 the locking arm 22 vwill be moved upwardly and'outwardly. The nose ot the dog will thereby be disengaged from the lip il2 ot the supporting ring 18, and by g gement of the hooked end 63 ot the leverniember with the pin 6l of the dog 56, during outward and upwart movement of the lever member, the nose 59 of the dogl will be moved downwardly and inwardly and will be brought into engagement with the under side or lodged under, the lip ll2 or' the supporting ring 18, as shown in Fig. el, thereby holding the valve member l? in partial, open posit-ion and Jfacilitating further movement ot the valve member by water pressure to full open position.

Rete 1ring to Figs. 5 and 7, the means for alarm comprises a drain pipe or conduit 66, communicating at one end with the channel or passageway 45, and having a drip outlet 6T controlled by a check valve, such as the spring supported stop. limited ball valve 68. rlhe pipe 66 is arranged at its other end for Contact et water lowing in the pipe with a flexible metal cross plate 69 arranged in the chamber 70, this end of the pipe 6.6 preferably but not necessarily being closed by the plate 69 against passage 01"" water into the chamber 70, it being necessary however that the plate 69, whether closing this end et the pipe 66 or not,y should be oit such size to present sufficient surface to enable the pressure o't water in the pipe 66 to flex or bend the plate outwardly for the purpose of ma `:ing control between the electric contacts later mentioned for operating the alarm. The cross plate GJis provided on the side thereof opposite'to the adjacent end of the pipe 66 with an electric contact 71, and an electric contact l2 is provided in the wall ot the chamber i6 adjaccnt to the contact 7l, the plate 69 being` connected to a conveniently .situated source ot electricity, such as the battery @'53, and the Contact 72 being comiectc-l to a bell or other audible alarm means 7l connected to an annunciator or other visual alarm means T5 connected to the battery 73, the contacts il andv I2 normally being out ot contact.

For normally providing` drainage for the valve mechanism the checlr valve 68 is mainsov ltlO

tained in open position as shown, but upon eniergency operation ot the valve mechanism by water pressure, lthe VpresCnire et the increased amount of wate in the pipe 66 will close-the check valve 66 and will flex or bend the cross plate 69 outwardly and malte Contact between. the contacts 7l and 'l2 and cause `operation of the alarm means. lo'dise charge subsequently the accumulated Water it'rom the pipe 66, itis only necessary to hold the check valve 68 in open position by means of a stick or suitable instrument inserted into the outlet 6'? until the Water passes out or" the pipe by Way of the outlet. r, as may be readily understood, a relief valve, not shoivn, may be placed in the pipe G6 between the outlet 67 and the chamber TO Vtor discharge ot the accumulated Water.

The housing or ease ot the device may oe provided with suitable hand holes or openf ings, not shovmr` t'or permitting` access to the interior of the liousii'igv for manually closing the valve n'iechanism, and for adjustment, repair or cleaning' out purposes.

ln operation: The valve mechanism beingin closed position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the locking arms 21 and 22 being engaged in the slot and under the head T, oit the lock member, and the shoulders 2l and 22 ot the respective locking arms being in engagement with the upper surface ot the support iup)l ring 1S, and the nose ot the deze 5S being engaged with the upper edge ot the lip 42 ot the supperting` ring` 18, and the crtensible member 19 being collapsed or compressed by pr .ssure thereon o'l the air in the chamber 1l, and the valve mechanism locked and held against the pressure ot ivater from the chamber 13, reduction 01"' this air pressure causes the extensible member to extend, vvhereby the loclr member 20, together With the extensible member is moved upwardly and the end 49 ot the looking` arm 22 is released lrom the head ll?. Due to the reduc tion of air pressure the Water pressure causes upivarc and radial movement ot the valve member 17, the supporting' ring 18 and the extensible member 19, and the shoulder 22 ot the locking` arm 22 being in engagement with the upper edge of the supporting,` ring, the upward and Vradial movement ot the supporting` ring' by engagement of the upper edge thereot With the shoulder 22 pushes the unlocked arm 22 out oi the Way. Duringi this movement of the supporting ring the nose of the dog 58 slips oft' the upper edge of the lip 42 of the supportingring` and by action et' the lever member 62 is carried and lodgesunder the lip 42, and thereby maintains the valve mechanism in partial open position as shown in Fig'. el. and permits the full opening` et the valve mechanism bv water pressure "from the chamber 13, or movement oit the valve mechanism to the open position shown by the brelren lines in Fig. 1.

rl"he annular passageway 39 in the valve member 17 communicating with the chamber 35 and With the passageway 45, which in turn communicates with the ati'nosphere, permits collapsing and extension of the extensible member 19. Also when the valve member 17 is unseated5 the Water Will enter the chamber 35 by this paesagena'Y and by pressure on the interior et said chamber assist in moving the valve member to open position. This passageway also provides a means for automatically draining, alter the valve mechanism is returned to closed posi.- tion, any ivater that may have entered the interior et said chamber by vay of the passageivay during' flow o'f Water through the device While the valve mechanism vas in open position.

While for convenience and for purposes ot manufacture I employ a housingsuch as shown, it should be noted that the valve mechanism is self-contained and is not restricted to use vvith any particular term ot housing; that is, the valve mechanism is comprised ot the base member, the valve member, the supportingl ring, the extensible member and the locking,` arms, all ot the latter members being operatively supported by the base member and not Vdependent for support upon any other means than the base member. The only requisite is that the ivater pressure and air pressure chambers should be arranged relative to the valve mechanism for co-operation therewith for providing ivater and air pressure thereon, whether the Water pressure and air pressure chambers are termed in a single housing' or each has an individual housing. lhe advantage ot this feature ot my invention is that the operative parts oi the valve mechanism being,y supported in operative relation to each other by the base member and the valve mechanism being supported in operative relation to the air and -Water pressure chambers by the basemember,the valve mechanism may be used with any term ot housing or housings for the ivater pressure and air pressure chambers which permit arrangement ol these chan'il'iers to meet the above requisite. rjhus the air pressure and Water pressure chambers not being restricted to any particular form, or necessarily adjacently arranged relative to each other, ma.v be adapted to the conditions ot place v-:here used, so longl as means is provided 'tor bringing these chambers into such relation to the valve mechanism that air pressure trom the air pressure chamber and water pressure from the ivacr pressure chamber are exerted upon the valve mechanism, and that the valve mechanism may provide means .tor closing); or opening communication between these chambers and permit, when operated by excess of water pressure, passage et Water from the Water pressure chamber through the valve mechanism to the air chamber -tor distribution in emergeney.

For use of my device as a ivet pipe sys tem, n'ater may be forced ,in a suitable and convenient manner, not shown, but readily io be understood, into the sprinkler pipes llll of the system and thence into the air chamber, the pressure in the air chamber then beings` that o'l Water instead of air, and the action ot the valve mechanism being the same as when under air and Water pressure. ln emergency upon reduction of the Water pressure in the air chamber, the excess ot wat-er pressure from the Water 'chamber n'ioving` the valve mechanism to open position permits distribution vof the Water from the sprinkler pipes and air chamber by Water pressure from the 'Water chamber and a subsequent loiv ot Water therefrom.

lt will be noted 'from the foregoing description thereoiI that the self-contained valve mechanism, simply by disoonnectiiig,- it from communicating position between the respective pressure chambers, may be re- Vmoved from the system for inspection,

cleaning or repair, `or for the substitution ot a similar' new valve mechanism for an old one.

lt will be noted by referring` to Figs. l and 2, that there is provided a` space 2U between the arms 21 and 22, and it has been tound in practice that this isr a very i'mportant provision, in l'order to rdelinitely meet a. characteristic action of this valve under normal operative position. words, While it may be assumed that under ordinary air-pressure conditions in the `chamber l-l, the valve mechanism will be set about as shoirn, and the locking arms 2l and will he. in about the set position as shown. Should any increase `of pressure be applied however, or should inadvertent variations ot pressiire occur, the extensible member lll would be compressed, carrying with it the head e6 and member 47. rlhis ion would, not un aturally, tend to ry the arms 2l and V22 doiviiivard-ly therewith to a point Where the enos '48 and i-9 tliereot approach one another, andshould there not bea clearance space 20, as re- 'lerred to, the arms 2l and 22 might contact together at the ends v 18 and e9 and thereby he badly deformed. ln yorder to obviatc this particular feature, sullicien't space is lett between the ends 48 and 49 of the arms 2l and 2&2, as above. noted, in order to accommodate variations 'ot' increased pressure Without inoapacitating;` the arms and. 22 att proper operative -function.

llaving thus described my invention, itshould be understood that there may be modi Vcations thereoi" and variations thereiu r-ritliout departingl from the `spirit of the invention or exceeding the sope oit the appended claiv llihatl claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent vis l. ln combination, an air pressure chamber; a contained valve mechanism for closing or opening' -co'mniur'iication between said chaml'n other fater pressure chan'iber; and seltbers; the valve mechanism comprising a base member Jfor supporting the operative parts ofthe valve mechanism in operative relation to each other, and for supporting the valve mechar i m in operative relation tothe Water ir'essure and air pressure chambers; and comprsing collapsible and vextensible means ior retaining` when collapsed by pressure of air in the air pressure chamber thc valve meclianisni in locledposition, and for permitting' movement ofthe valve mechanism to open position by pressure from the Water pressure chamber upon 'reduction of the pressure in the air 'pressure chamber and extension of said means.

ln combination, an air pressure chamber;v a Water pressure chamber; and seltcontained valve mechanism for closing or opening communication between said chambers; the valve mechanism comprising a. basel 'member tor supporting the operative parts oi the valve mechanism inoperative 'relationV to each other, andlor supporting` the valve mechanism 1n operative relation to the Water pressure and air. pressure "-chambers; and

comprising collapsible andre-extensible means ior retaining` when collapsed byv pressure of air in the air pressure chamber the valve mechanism in closed position, und `tor pern'i'ittingl movement ot the valve mechanism to open position by pressure trom 'the Water pressure chamber upon reduction ofV the pressure in the air pressure chamber and eX; tension of said means.

3; En combina-'tioman air pressure chamber; aivater pressure chamber; fand selty lcontained lvalve mechanism for yclosing` or opening@r `communication b'etiveen said chambers; the valve mechanism comprising` a base member tor supporting the operative parts ofi the valve mechanism in operative relation to veach other, and tor supporting the valve mech m in operativ-e relation to the Water` Aness-,ire and air pressure chambers; and com'prisingv collapsibleV and extensible conif'oluted means `tor retaining` 'when collapsed by pressure o't air in the air press e chamyper the va -e mechanism in cles 'l position, and tor l moven nt. ot the valve mechanisi'i'i to open position by 'prep ire 'trom the wat, pressure chamber 'upon reduction oft "the `1re lin the air pressure chan'i'ber and leatensum of said means.

al. lin con'ibination, an air `pre;iire chamber; a ywater pressure Chamb and vaflje mechanism tor closing or opening communication between said cl'rambers;r the valve Mechanism comprising' means lor locking,l the same in closing position pivota'lly mounted tor radial movement, collapsible and extensible means tor retaining when collapsed by air pressure thereon said 'locking` means in linkin-g` position, 'and extensible upon reduction oit 'said air pressure forreleasing said locking. means iter permitting `movemen''t of lOl) the valve mechanism to open position, and comprising means cooperating` with said locking` means for retaining` the valve mechanism in closing position and movable by opening movement oi the valve mechanism, when the lockingmeans is released, to a position adapted to hold the valve mechanism in partially open position tor facilitating movement ot' the valve mechanism by water pressure to 't'ull open position.

o. In combination, an air p'essure chamber; a Vater pressure chamber; and valve mechanism tor closing or opening;- commun,"- cation between said cl'ambers; the valve mechanism comprising pivotally mounted locking arms for retaining the valve mechanism in closing position, and collapsible and extensible means tor retaining when collapsed the locking arms in locking,` position, and extensible for releasing said locliing arms for permitting` movement oi the valve mechanism to open posit-ion.

G. In combination, an air pressure chamber; a water pressure chamber; and valve mechanism for closing or opening communication between said chambers; the valve mechanism comprising locking arms pivot-- ally mounted in the air pressure chamber Lfor retaining,` the valve mechanism in closing position, and diiiierentially controlled collapsible and extensible means for retaining when collapsed the lockingarms in locking` position, and extensible for releasing` the locking` arms V'lor permitting` movement of the valve mechanism to open position.

7. In combination, an air pressure chamber; a water pressure chamber; valve mechanism for closing or opening communication between said chambers; the valve mechanism comprising pivotally movable locking arms for retaining the valve mechanism in closing position, and collapsible and extensible means 'lor retaining when collapsed by air pressure thereon the locking arms in locking position, and extensible upon reduction or saidy air pressure ttor releasing` the locking` arms 'for permitting` movement ot' the valve mechanism by water pressure to open position; and means engageable with the valve mechanism and co-operating with the locking arms tor maintaining the valve mechanism in closing` position and movable by opening movement of the valve mechanism, when the lockingl arms are released, and engageable with the valve mechanism adapted to hold the valve mechanism in par-- tial open position t'or tacilitating` movement of the valve mechanism by water pressure to full-open position.

S. In combination,A an air pressure chamber; a water pressure chamber; valve mechanism for closing or opening` communication between said chambers, comprising collapsible and extensible means; means communieating with the interior of said collapsible and extensible means and with the atmosphere for permitting collapsing and extension olf the collapsible and extensible means and providing for drainage ot said interior; and means for preventing` passage of air from the air pressure chamber into said communicating` means.

9. In combination, an air pressure chamber; a water pressure chamber; valve mechanism for closing or openingconnnunication between said chambers, conigrisiim` collapsible and extensible means; and means communicating' with the interior ot the collapsible and extensible .means and with. the atmosphere for permitting collapsingv and extension of the collapsible and extensible rneans and providing 'for drainage ot said interior; said means ifor communication comprising an inclined annular passageway in the valve mechanism communicating; with an annular passageway therein which in turn communicates with the atmosphere.

l0. In combination, an air pressure chamber; a water pressure chamber; valve mechanism for closing` or opening,` communication between said vchainlieis, comprising collapsible and extensible means; means communicating with the interior ot said collapsible and extensible means and with lthe atmosphere for permittingv coilapsimr and extension of the collapsible and exteni sible means and providingdrainage 'lor l interior; and means for preventing' pa o'tair from the air pressure chamber n to said means for communication; said means for communication conrprising; an inclined annular passageway in the valve mechanism communicating with an annular passageway.' therein which in turn communicates with the atmosphere; and said means for preventing' passage of air comprising a ring;l ot yieldable material engageablc with a ring oi' soit metal.

ll. In combination, pressure chainb self-contained chambered valve iiiral1:\1i.,n for closing or opening commnnication between the chambers; and means Ytor draining` the valve mechanism ,troni within; said chambers having pressure therein opposedly exerted 'from the chambers upon the valve mechanism lor normally inaintaininej the same in closingposition; the valve mechanism upon reduction ot the pressure thereon from one o'tf said chambers la' ino-vable to open position by pressure l om the other ot said chambers.

l2. In combination, pressure chambers; self-contained chambered valve mechanism for closing' or opening commnnication between the chambers; and means Ytor draining the valve mechanism from within; said chambers having pressure therein opposedlv exerted upon the valve mcchanismior normally maintaining the same in closing positbe operative parte ot the. *valve mechanism in operative relation to eat-,li other, and tor supporting the 'valve mechanism in operative re Y tion to sait-l chambers.

13. ln combination, pressure chambers; Self-contained el amberetl Valve mechanism for closing or opening Ycominu nieation 'between the elian'ibers; and means tor draining the interior of the 'valve mechanism; tbe telve mechanism eomprisinf.;v collapsible and extensible means for reteinng when Collapsetl by pressure thereon from one ot said chambers the i'al'v'emeeaanism in elosin position, and by extension oit said collapsible means upon reduction o'f said pressure per mittingy movement oi' the valve mechanism to open position by pressure troni the other of saitl Chambers.

141i. ln Combination, a housing comprising an air pressure chamber and a Water pressureeliamber; a base member seenretl to the housing between said Chambers providing` oomnnmieation therebetween and having; aV

tace pron/lling a valve seat; a valve men'iber having' a valve faee engageable with seid vulve seat; a. supportinQ3` ring secured to the valve member and pivotally attached at one side to the base member; collapsible and extensible member secured to tbe supporting rino` means communieatingl with the atmosphere ior .iermitting collapsing ancl Xtension of the collapsible and ei:-

tensible member; :intl looking` arms pivotally attached to the base member antl enga.gezmle with means on the collapsible and extensible member for retaining' the valve 'tace ot tbe ralve member 1n engagement with tbe Valve Comm inieation bavingg a tace providing a if'alve seat; a rf; re member having; valve face ei ige :Que :with said telve seat; a supporting ring; seemed to the valve member and pivotally Unheil et one side to tbebase member; a eollaiiasible and to the support g ring; neans eonniunieate msphere i'or pernntting Colsion of the Collapsible and il tr lapsing and elite exten ble member and providing' tor tlrainage ot Vthe interior thereof 5an l looking; arms piiotally atta flied 'to the base member and e' @gentile with means on the collapsible arms having shoulders ven u t extensible member secured and extensible member tor retainie' with tbe valve taee oit the valveni mber in engagement with tbe valve seat 4the base member when .the collapsible and` extensixle .i ber is collapsed, and relef'isable by extensioi of tl e collapsible and extensible member t permitting miseating movement et the Val, memlrer.

1G. in eombim tion. a houeii an air pressure chamber and s eater sure clianrber; a bored base iieLber to the housing' between sriil el M vitlingj communication flierebeween having a tace providing e aliL sv y e. Valve meni-A lie etmosnbero tor permitting collapsing;-

end extension of the collapsible and extneible member; and looking arms .pivota ittaehetl to the base member." and engageeble 'with mear-.s on the lcollapsible and extensible n ember 'for i'et .inin the Valve tace oi the e, 'ement with thi faire seat of the bese ail-.l extensible men 3er leaeable by extension oE the e f3 member when the Colla, lble A l e.y tensible member ior permi n'iovement the valve-neem er ggageable with 'the side oit the supporting ring when in looking` position. Y

l?. n eombinatioma housing "eomprisiiw air pressure chamber and o Weter pre;- snre eliember; e bored base member f the loolr means oon'nnnnieating` With` to the housing; between said chambers pro if'itling eoimnunieation therebetween having' a tace providing a valve seat; a Avvalte member hmfing a tace engagesble with .said *faire seat; a supporting ring' secured to the valve v neinber and pivotally attached at one side to the base men'iber; a collapsible andV exsensible member secured to the supporting.I ring; meansAeoinmuniea "with the ,attire-e pliere 'Stor permitting; col and e. sion the eollaisib e ani'L t ber; locking); arms pir elly ietl te i. base 'nember anal e1 i'eable with means l) 11* \rlv 11 f l .1 {l} 1 .1l/T l i n.. eo. Apsio e im ,neime mf. Lnoti roi retaining the v l'e )t the valve niemtbe *faire seat et the ,psetb anal releasable b the Cellnpeibie and extensible memb .r for pern'uttng .unserting' movement ing arms hai'- cneageable with. the upper l ot' the valve member, the loek i eher-zitiere suie ot the supp rting ringl when in locking' chamber, of a base, Valve mechanism pivotally mounted on said base for closing or openii'igcommunication between said chan bers, locking arms associated with said valve mechanism for retaining the valve in open or closed position, extensible means for actuatiim` said locking arms, and auxiliary locking means, operable by the action of the extensible means for retaining said valve in closed position on the downward pressure 10 ot' the extensible means, and operable, when the valve mechanism is open, for preventing its return to set position.

CHARLES ADAMS, JR. 

